The English word “monster” is derived from the Latin
word moneo, monere meaning “to warn.” This makes a lot of sense, as a
monster is something that you need to warn against because it does not share in
your interests and is a threat to you. Something that I have been struggling
with is the difference between a monster and an evil creature. When someone calls something or someone a monster, such as Hitler, one removes their humanity,
showing that they no longer have a claim to sharing in our same moral fabric as
they have turned to evil. I think that in this case the word “monster” is misused
and these beings should just be referred to as evil actors. I do not think that
monsters are, in of themselves, evil. Their actions may have an evil effect, but
the monsters are not following an evil force, they are merely following their
nature.
I think that when analyzing the different types of “monsters” in Tolkien’s universe, dragons and feonds should not be considered monsters but evil creatures instead, as they by design and origin have an evil will. Both are results of Melkor’s own creation, being born out of an evil intent, therefore innately evil. However, when it comes to the spiders and other “monsters” such as the watcher in the water, I do not think that these are evil. They are pursuant of greed, insatiability, and irascibility.
When considering the watcher in the water and the other nameless things, I wouldn’t extend the term monster to them, because to be a monster there has to be some type of intelligence to the creature. The watcher in the water does not exhibit many different characteristics from that of a highly predatory animal such as a lion. The watcher does not communicate, does not seek power, and does not serve some type of moral code. The watcher exposes itself and lashes out at the fellowship when it is threatened and disturbed by Pippin’s actions of throwing the stones in its living space. Therefore, something like the watcher in the water cannot be considered a monster simply because of its enormous size and predatory instincts. They are no more monstrous than a hurricane or a tornado.
Now when it comes to Ungoliant and her spawn, I think that the spiders are the only true monsters in Tolkien’s universe and not evil in their intentions but have evil effects. They are rational and lawful, as evidenced by Ungoliant’s contract with Melkor. At first glance, this might seem ridiculous considering their actions throughout the different stories, especially given how Ungoliant drinks the light from the Two Trees of Valinor. Although this action and her teaming up with Melkor might present itself to be evil, she does this out of necessity and her nature, for she is eternally hungry. To her, the trees were a great food source, something that when consumed could possibly satisfy some of her consuming hunger. When looking further into Ungoliant’s origin, it is unknown from where she really comes from; however, what is known is that she is separate from Melkor and that he did not create her. If all things that come from Melkor are evil by his designs, and everything else created in Arda is in the image of Illuvatar, by that fact these creatures are necessarily good, therefore how could Ungoliant and her spawn be outright evil creatures? I think that this is where the distinction must be made between monsters and evil creatures. Furthermore, all of Melkor’s and Sauron’s creations and perversions of Illuvatar’s creations serve them and follow their orders. However, Ungoliant and her descendants, follow no master and operate of their own accord, aiming to feed and feed. The short time Ungoliant throws her lot in with Melkor, their relationship was contractual, resulting in Ungoliant turning on Melkor when he fails to keep up his end of the deal. The spiders in Tolkien’s universe serve nothing except for their appetite, using their intelligence to serve this purpose, allowing them to be creative in achieving their instincts, like teaming up with Melkor to drain Telperion and Laurelin.
Due to the nature of the spiders’ route to survival, their actions initially seem reckless and in accord with an evil mind. The spiders pose a threat to the children of Illuvatar and their way of life. Although this opposition is not evil because this is vital to spiders' survival, this causes the spiders and the children of Illuvatar to compete with each other much like competing species. When the spiders do attack the children of Illuvatar, it is akin to a natural disaster in that a natural disaster has no ill intent and malice behind its actions, even though it causes massive destruction and loss of life.
I would argue that Ungoliant and the spiders are as natural and a part of Arda as the children of Illuvatar and Illuvatar’s other creations. Perhaps, Ungoliant came about because of the discord caused between Illuvatar and Melkor, yet she still exists like the nameless things, albeit she has a much greater degree of intelligence. The spiders’ intelligence makes them a more unique kind of monster, making them rivals for the children of Illuvatar, where they are unable to predict how the spiders will fully act. They are pitiable monsters to be sure, because unlike the Children of Illuvatar who could reasonably hope for fulfillment in this life, the hopeless spawn of Ungloiant’s painful needs will never and can never be fulfilled for eternity.
-AS
I think that when analyzing the different types of “monsters” in Tolkien’s universe, dragons and feonds should not be considered monsters but evil creatures instead, as they by design and origin have an evil will. Both are results of Melkor’s own creation, being born out of an evil intent, therefore innately evil. However, when it comes to the spiders and other “monsters” such as the watcher in the water, I do not think that these are evil. They are pursuant of greed, insatiability, and irascibility.
When considering the watcher in the water and the other nameless things, I wouldn’t extend the term monster to them, because to be a monster there has to be some type of intelligence to the creature. The watcher in the water does not exhibit many different characteristics from that of a highly predatory animal such as a lion. The watcher does not communicate, does not seek power, and does not serve some type of moral code. The watcher exposes itself and lashes out at the fellowship when it is threatened and disturbed by Pippin’s actions of throwing the stones in its living space. Therefore, something like the watcher in the water cannot be considered a monster simply because of its enormous size and predatory instincts. They are no more monstrous than a hurricane or a tornado.
Now when it comes to Ungoliant and her spawn, I think that the spiders are the only true monsters in Tolkien’s universe and not evil in their intentions but have evil effects. They are rational and lawful, as evidenced by Ungoliant’s contract with Melkor. At first glance, this might seem ridiculous considering their actions throughout the different stories, especially given how Ungoliant drinks the light from the Two Trees of Valinor. Although this action and her teaming up with Melkor might present itself to be evil, she does this out of necessity and her nature, for she is eternally hungry. To her, the trees were a great food source, something that when consumed could possibly satisfy some of her consuming hunger. When looking further into Ungoliant’s origin, it is unknown from where she really comes from; however, what is known is that she is separate from Melkor and that he did not create her. If all things that come from Melkor are evil by his designs, and everything else created in Arda is in the image of Illuvatar, by that fact these creatures are necessarily good, therefore how could Ungoliant and her spawn be outright evil creatures? I think that this is where the distinction must be made between monsters and evil creatures. Furthermore, all of Melkor’s and Sauron’s creations and perversions of Illuvatar’s creations serve them and follow their orders. However, Ungoliant and her descendants, follow no master and operate of their own accord, aiming to feed and feed. The short time Ungoliant throws her lot in with Melkor, their relationship was contractual, resulting in Ungoliant turning on Melkor when he fails to keep up his end of the deal. The spiders in Tolkien’s universe serve nothing except for their appetite, using their intelligence to serve this purpose, allowing them to be creative in achieving their instincts, like teaming up with Melkor to drain Telperion and Laurelin.
Due to the nature of the spiders’ route to survival, their actions initially seem reckless and in accord with an evil mind. The spiders pose a threat to the children of Illuvatar and their way of life. Although this opposition is not evil because this is vital to spiders' survival, this causes the spiders and the children of Illuvatar to compete with each other much like competing species. When the spiders do attack the children of Illuvatar, it is akin to a natural disaster in that a natural disaster has no ill intent and malice behind its actions, even though it causes massive destruction and loss of life.
I would argue that Ungoliant and the spiders are as natural and a part of Arda as the children of Illuvatar and Illuvatar’s other creations. Perhaps, Ungoliant came about because of the discord caused between Illuvatar and Melkor, yet she still exists like the nameless things, albeit she has a much greater degree of intelligence. The spiders’ intelligence makes them a more unique kind of monster, making them rivals for the children of Illuvatar, where they are unable to predict how the spiders will fully act. They are pitiable monsters to be sure, because unlike the Children of Illuvatar who could reasonably hope for fulfillment in this life, the hopeless spawn of Ungloiant’s painful needs will never and can never be fulfilled for eternity.
2 comments:
I once did a blogpost on feeling sorry for Shelob—do we feel sorry the spiders, when all they want to do is eat? You seem to me to be struggling with your taxonomy, if monsters are simply warnings. Shelob is in many ways the opposite of Saruman: gluttony as opposed to cunning. But she is surely still evil, isn't she? RLFB
I do think Ungoliant and her brood represent perhaps the greatest anomaly in Tolkien's otherwise Augustinian portrait of the goodness of creation. They seem to be pretty close to non-being, a devouring nothingness, a void in the world. Probably the best explanation is the one you point to—that they are ripple effects of Melkor's discord. But then it is peculiar that Ungoliant and Shelob do not obey Morgoth and Sauron, respectively. Instead they are incidentally useful but also frequently hindrances to the Dark Lords.
I'm not entirely convinced by your discussion of the Watcher and the other creatures in the dark places of the world. They are represented as malicious, as drawn to the Ring. The Watcher's taking up position before the West Gate of Moria just when Balin's expedition is there cannot be entirely coincidental. Even if they are not directly under the orders of evil powers, they do seem clearly aligned with them.
~LJF
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